Treadmill training post stroke: are there any secondary benefits? A pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the secondary benefits of treadmill training for people in the chronic stage of recovery from stroke.


METHODS
Modified random assignment, matched-pair control group design with repeated measures.


METHODS
Outpatient stroke centre.


METHODS
Twenty individuals post first stroke who acknowledged walking slower than pre stroke. Participants matched by side of hemiparesis and motor impairment.


METHODS
Twelve 20-minute sessions of walking on a treadmill or weekly phone call.


METHODS
Depression (Beck Depression Index), mobility and social participation (Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 subscales) were assessed initially, at the end of 12 treatments (four weeks) and six weeks later.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found between groups for any dependent measure. The ANOVA to investigate main effects in each group found no significant findings in the control group; however in the treatment group significant improvements over time for depression (P = 0.005, P < 0.001), mobility (P = 0.008) and social participation (P = 0.004) were demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
A task-specific intervention designed to improve gait speed may potentially provide secondary benefits by positively impacting depression, mobility and social participation for people post stroke.
Smith
Patricia S
PS
Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75239-8876, USA. patricia.smith@utsouthwestern.edu
Thompson
Mary
M
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003863:Depression; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking